This year has seen Oklahoma City’s food scene grow by leaps and bounds with several new restaurants, bars and coffee shops that embrace food diversity, locally sourced ingredients and a uniquely Oklahoman perspective. These seven have been welcome additions to OKC.
By Jo Light | Photos Alexa Ace, Gazette / file and provided
The Press
610 N. Gatewood Ave.
thepressokc.com | 405-208-7739
16th Street Plaza District continues to be a hub of exciting restaurants and retail, and The Press’ down-home cooking fits right in. Housed in a former printing press/garage, the restaurant and bar offer modern takes on Southern classics. You’ll find its popular chicken-fried rib-eye steak and Buffalo mac and cheese alongside vegan dumpling soup and fresh salads.
Capitals Ice Cream
1006 N. Hudson Ave., Suite 100
capitalsicecream.com | 405-600-9966
Sometimes plain ice cream doesn’t cut it. When Capitals opened this summer, patrons lined out the door for custom-swirled cones and cups. The owners fully embrace Okie pride with revolving special sundaes like Gorilla Hill (named for the notorious stretch in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon) or the more recent Sweet Paseo Pie.
Stitch
229 E. Sheridan Ave.
stitchokc.com | 405-652-1322
The owners of Stitch have transitioned from their previous coffee shop, Okay Yeah Co., to a new space in Bricktown. It’s still calm and plant-filled, and they’re still making excellent baked goods and strong coffees. Open seven days a week, the cafe is a great place to work and enjoy a light lunch. The High Desert toast is a particularly delicious bite.
Kwan’s Kitchen
3031 W. Memorial Road
kwans.kitchen | 405-607-8838
Presented as “Cantonese with a twist,” the food in Kwan’s Kitchen is elevated French-Chinese fusion served in an expansive space where koi fish swim in a tank under the floor and different seating areas represent the five elements of wood, earth, water, fire and metal. The restaurant serves dim sum on weekends, and the regular menu includes Chinese staples with flair, like quail lo mein.
Bar Arbolada
637 W. Main St.
facebook.com/bararbolada | 405-601-8659
This hip bar from native Okies with a California sensibility has become one of the Arts District’s favorite hangouts. Named for a street in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Los Feliz, Bar Arbolada is filled with sun during the day and music and energy at night. Original cocktails can be enjoyed with savory snacks like corn fritters or sweet desserts like buñuelos, small doughnuts with caramel sauce.
The Kitchen at Commonplace Books
1325 N. Walker Ave., Suite 138
commonplacebooksokc.com/kitchen | 405-534-4540
The cafe side of Commonplace Books feels more like a casual hangout than a restaurant space, which seems exactly the point. During the day, visitors can sip coffees and enjoy small salads, toasts and polenta while relaxing with friendly shop dog Boz. Family-style dinners are served nightly with new menus each week.
Oso on Paseo
603 NW 28th St.
osopaseo.com | 405-309-8226
Opened in October, this taco joint and recent addition to the growing Paseo Arts District is gorgeously decorated and serves fresh spins on Mexican favorites. The street corn topped with Takis chips is delicious, and the ahi tuna tostadas are an inspired mix of flavors. The menu features several vegetarian and vegan options, as well.
